Systems for production of colored lights from audio impulses and transducer therefor

ABSTRACT

A novel transducer element useful in the production of colored light displays responsive to electronic impulses and as a device for reproducing audible sounds responsive to the output of an audio amplifier which comprises the following combination. A housing having an open upper end covered by a taut fine-mesh screen which forms a container for the assembly described below. A plug of rigid plastic foam is attached to and depends downwardly from the taut screen. A tube and coil wound on the tube is rigidly attached to a lower part of the plug. The tube is movably mounted around the upper part of a magnet situated in the lower part of the housing. When the coil is interconnected to an audio amplifier, vertical oscillatory motion is imparted to the plug-tube-coil assembly. The vertical movement is restricted by the taut screen means which also prevents the assembly from being immovably forced against or pulled away from the magnet when either compressive or tensile stresses are applied to the plug.

United States Patent [1 1 Sklar [ill 3,711,853

[451 Jan. 16, 1973 [76] Inventor:

[54] SYSTEMS FOR PRODUCTION OF COLORED LIGHTS FROM AUDIO IMPULSES AND TRANSDUCER THEREFOR Lawrence A. Sklar, 14697 NE. 18th Avenue, North Miami, Fla. 33 I61 221 Filed: Nov. 10, I971 [21] Appl.No.: 197,344

[52] US. Cl ..340/366 B, 340/407 R, 340/388 R UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,103,660 9/1963 Ticktin 340/407 Primary ExaminerHarold I. Pitts AltorneyWayne C. Jaeschke [57] ABSTRACT A novel transducer element useful in the production of colored light displays responsive to electronic impulses and as a device for reproducing audible sounds responsive to the output of an audio amplifier which comprises the following combination. A housing having an open upper end covered by a taut fine-mesh screen which forms a container for the assembly described below. A plug of rigid plastic foam is attached to and depends downwardly from the taut screen. A tube and coil wound on the tube is rigidly attached to a lower part of the plug. The tube is movably mounted around the upper part of a magnet situated in the lower part of the housing. When the coil is interconnected to an audio amplifier, vertical oscillatory motion is imparted to the plug-tube-coil assembly. The vertical movement is restricted by the taut screen means which also prevents the assembly from being immovably forced against or pulled away from the magnet when either compressive or tensile stresses are applied to the plug.

11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 4 SCREEN 0 HOUSING 2 AUDIO AMPUFIER PATENTEDJAN 16 I973 3.711.853

sum 1 BF 2 f4 SCREEN o IO HOUSING PAIENTEDJM 16 I975 SHEET 2 [IF 2 SYSTEMS FOR PRODUCTION OF COLORED LIGHTS FROM AUDIO IMPULSES AND TRANSDUCER THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Several novel and useful means for producing colored light displays responsive to audio impulses are described in my prior US. Pat. Nos. 3,205,755 and 3,247,750. US. Pat. No. 3,205,755 describes simple and yet unobvious ways of utilizing and modifying conventional audio amplifiers and voice coil means to produce a moving display of colored lights responsive to audio impulses. US. Pat. No. 3,247,750 describes an improvement over the first mentioned patent which permits random movement to be converted into rotational movement responsive to changing electronic impulses.

In my prior US. Pat. No. 3,205,755, I described my discovery that by rigidly attaching a piece of lightweight, rigid, plasticfoam material of suitable thickness to the tube upon which the voice coil is wound, the relatively small amplitude oscillations of the voice coil can be magnified to an extent ideally suited for the purposeof producing the light display effect of that invention. According to that discovery, the oscillations and vibrations produced in the rigid foam material are neither too great to require reduction by extrinsic means nor too small to require further amplification.

In the invention described in US. Pat. No. 3,205,755, the plastic foam material is situated verticallyabove a conventional, loosely held cloth meshretaining means completely outside of the housing mechanism. While the device described in my prior patent is suitable for vertically upright operation employing a low gain amplifier, unfortunately, it is not suitable for use when oriented sideways or upside down, with a high gain amplification means, or with large, heavy shade means since the excess weight bears down on the voice coil when the assembly is upright thereby not permitting it to function. In the upside down position, the prior device is unsatisfactory since the coil separates from the magnetic means and operation ceases.

OBJECTS It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a system for producing a display of colored lights responsive to electronic impulses.

Another objectis to provide a system for producing a display of colored lights responsive to audio impulses which is satisfactory for operation whether situated in vertically upright, sideways or upside-down orientation and which is capable of operation when substantial weight is applied or high gain amplification is desired.

Another object is to provide a novel transducer element capable of operating the novel light display system of this invention.

Another object is to provide a novel transducer element capable of transmitting satisfactory impulses to produce good sound reproduction when the element is applied to various regions of the human head.

These and other objects are generally accomplished as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a new and surprisingly effective system is provided for producing colored light displays responsive to audio impulses. The system comprises an audio amplification means, a novel transducer element as hereinafter described, a rigid, elongated post which is dynamically operated by the transducer means and light shade or filter means movably attached to the post and forming at least a partial enclosure about a light source such as an electric light bulb.

The novel transducer element comprises a housing having base and sides terminating so as to provide an open upper end. A taut screen is disposed in covering relationship over the open end of the housing such that the housing and screen together form a container for the assembly hereinafter described. A rigid light-weight means, e.g., a plug of rigid plastic foam, is attached to and depends from the taut screen. Tubular means is affixed to and protrudes downwardly from the rigid light weight means and is movably mounted around a magnet situated in a lower part of the housing. A coil wound on the tubular means produces axial oscillation in the rigid light-weight means in co-action with the magnet when the current in the coil is varied. The coil can be electrically connected to any suitable electrical output such as an audio amplifier. During operation of the element the rigid light-weight means dynamically communicates with the top of the magnet preferably through a suitable pad or cushion but the axial oscillation is restricted by the taut screen at the top of the assembly.

When the transducer element is employed in conjunction with a light display system, post means is fastened to the plug such that the oscillations produced in the plug are transmitted to a suitable light shade or filter means through suitablepost means.

It has been discovered in the operation of the present invention that the combination of the plug (or light weight rigid means) and the taut screen modulates the axial movement of the tubular means to an extent which appears to be ideally suited toproduce effective light displays. Moreover, the taught screen prevents the unitary assembly comprising the plug, tube and coil from being immovably forced against the magnet or conversely pulled away from the magnet when either compressive or tensile stresses of large magnitude are applied to the plug. Thus, the transducer element of this invention is capable of satisfactory operation in any orientation employing relatively heavy light filter means, and employing high gain amplifiers.

The novel transducer element has also been found in the practice of this invention to exhibit surprising and unexpected sound reproduction characteristics when applied directly to the top or side of the head or even to the teeth. Reproduction of music, particularly the base tones appear to be more effective and satisfying than with conventional earphones.

REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates diagrammatically, in elevation, one embodiment of the novel transducer element of the present invention. 7

FIG. 2 is a plan view based on FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates one application of the novel transducer element of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates diagrammatically, in elevation, one embodiment of a novel light display system incorporating the novel transducer element of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates diagrammatically, in elevation, another embodiment of the light display system of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2 which illustrate one embodiment of the novel transducer element of the present invention. The numeral 66 represents an audio amplifier which may be of any known construction. Primary coil 72 is shown positioned in flux relationship with secondary coil 68 which is electrically interconnected in a series circuit with coil 14 by means of leads 58.

Coil 14 is wound on a lower portion of tube 18, which is constructed of light, rigid-material, e.g., nylon, cardboard, or other strong, non-magnetic material. The coil and tube comprise an assembly enveloping and in direct communication with the upper portion of magnetic means 12, which can be a permanent or electromagnet. The lower portion of tube 18 about which coil 14 is wound is movably mounted within the annular groove formed between face 17 of magnet housing 19 and magnet 12.

Cylindrical plug 16 is rigidly contained within upper portion of tube 18. Tube 18 can extend up to screen 24 or terminate at any point above the base of plug 16. The plug is made of any strong rigid and light-weight material such as cork, wood, or plastics such a nylon, polystyrene, or rigid urethane foam. In a preferred embodiment the plug is made of nylon foam material such as is described in my co-pending U.S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 889,331, filed Dec. 31, 1969. A suitable pad or wafer 30 made of felt, cotton, wool, or synthetic fibers such as nylon or dacron is most preferably inserted horizontally at the base of plug 16 to act as a shock absorption or cushioning means between plug 16 and magnet 12. The broken line 11-11 represents the axis of cylindrical magnet 12 and cylindrical plug 16.

The above described assembly is contained within housing which may have a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 1. Housing 10 may have any desired shape including a cone having its apex at the base of the assembly or may even be dish-shaped. Housing 10 can be placed in direct communication with the periphery of magnet housing 19. However, it is preferred for the purpose of removing heat generated by the dissipation of electrical energy within the assembly to provide an annular ring of vertically disposed tubes 32, corrugated paper or the like between the lower part of housing 10 and magnet housing 19. This arrangement permits the passage of air through the internal part of the element thereby removing heat generated during operation. Most preferably the entire top of housing 10 is level with the top of plug 16.

A suitable screen 24 is tightly drawn over and forms the top of housing 10. The screen is secured by retaining means 20 which can be a tight fitting ring or other suitable clamping means or suitable adhesive. It is important that screen 24 is drawn as tightly as possible over the top of the housing. The top of plug 16 is secured to the screen by glue or other suitable means. The screen can be made of any light-weight fiber or finely drawn strands of metal of high tensile strength. It is preferably dimensionally stable and of very fine weave. In one example, satisfactory results were achieved using as the screen a finely woven nylon cloth such as is used for ladies nylon mesh stockings which was drawn until it remained taut even when substantial weight was applied thereto. The screen 24 provides a means for retaining the coil 14 movably in place over magnet 12 regardless of the orientation of the entire element, e.g., upside down or right-side-up. When force or weight is applied to the surface of net 24, the tightly drawn net diminishes transmission of such force to coil 14 and permits satisfactory operation thereof.

The novel transducer element of this invention operates as follows. When the current in coil 14 is changed by a change in the output of audio amplifier 66 this produces a corresponding change in the magnetic field between magnet 12 and coil 14. The flux change causes axial (vertical in FIG. 1) oscillatory movement of the integral assembly consisting of coil 14, tube 18, plug 18 and pad 30. The oscillatory motion is communicated to screen 24 to which plug 16 is rigidly fastened. Since screen 24 permits free passage of air therethrough, essentially no sound is produced by the coil oscillations.

When the surface of screen 24 is placed in direct communication with the top of the head shown in FIG. 3, excellent sound reproduction is achieved. Reproduction, particularly of bass, i.e., lower frequency audible sounds, appears to be superior to reproduction from the same audio amplifier employing conventional earphones. Additionally the use of the novel transducer element of this invention in direct communication with head bones appears to permit certain persons a more relaxing way to listen to music, for example, than conventional equipment.

In another embodiment of the present invention illustrated by reference to FIG. 1, male screw element 40 is inserted into threaded socket 26 rigidly set in plug 16. Male element 40 protrudes from elongated cylinder or posts 42 and when inserted in 26 holds the post securely in place. Post 24 can be constructed of any suitable rigid plastic material or the like. When post 42 is gripped firmly between the teeth during operation of the novel transducer element of this invention good sound reproduction is achieved.

FIG. 4 illustrates a novel light display mechanism incorporating the transducer element of the present invention. The mechanism of FIG. 4 is capable of achieving a colored lights display responsive to changing electronic impulses. In this Figure, the contents within housing 10 are identical to those described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. However, the orientation of the element is inverted such that mesh 24 is located at the bottom of the element. One of the surprising characteristics of the novel transducer element of this invention is that it operates in a highly satisfactory manner even when substantial weight is added, for example, light shade 46.

Post 42 is attached to plug 16 as shown in FIG. 1 and retaining washer 43 forms the terminal part of post 42. In this embodiment, sleeve 44 is movably mounted around post 42. A bank of uniformly oriented fibers 45 protrudes. from the bottom part of sleeve 44. Light shade 46 containing any desired arrangement of v colored light filters is secured to sleeve 44. When oscillatory motion is imparted to post 42, the bank of fibers 45 in dynamic communication with washer 43 converts the oscillations into rotational motion of the shade 46. It is to be understood that means for converting such oscillations to random motion are within the scope of this invention.

Light bulb 47 contained in socket 48 and connected to electrical leads 49 is at least partly enclosed by shade 46. When movement is imparted to 46, by reason of activation of audio amplifier 66 which electronically communicated with the element contained within housing through coils 72 and 68 and leads 58, a colored light display responsive to audio impulses is achieved. Through the use of coils 74 and 76 and speaker means 78 in parallel with the novel system of the present invention, the illusion of colored lights changing in conjunction with music or other sounds is achieved.

FIG. 5 illustrates a light display system similar to that described with reference to FIG. 4. However, in this system, the transducer element is mounted vertically upright as shown in FIG. 1 and post 42 projects upwardly. In this embodiment light shade 46 protrudes downwardly from its mounting between washers 51 and 43 on post 42. This figure also illustrates an alternative means for mounting the light shade means such that oscillations of post 42 produce random motion in light shade 46.

Having thus described the invention by reference to specific embodiments thereof, many modifications and alterations thereof, will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, it is within the scope of this invention to adapt a conventional speaker assembly in the following manner. The cone-shaped diaphragm is perforated such that air passes freely through it. The cone is usually connected to the tube 18. Plug 16 and screen 24 are positioned in the same manner shown in FIG. 1. This adaptation may be done for manufacturing expediency where it is desired to modify conventional units. The perforated cone performs no function in the present invention. This modification has been found effective for making small transducer elements of this invention useful as sound reproduction devices. Such devices have been made by the aforementioned alterations of hand-sized transistor speaker units. The transducer elements made 'in this manner function very satisfactorily. Other modifications which do not change the operation of the novel element of the present invention can be envisioned readily which do not depart from the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is 1. A system for producing a display of colored lights responsive to audio impulses which comprises in combination: audio amplifier means, housing means having a base and sides terminating so as to provide an open upper end, taut screen means disposed in covering relationship over the open end of said housing means, said housing and screen means forming a container for the assembly hereinafter recited, rigid light-weight means attached to and depending from said taut screen means, tubular means affixed to and protruding downwardly from said rigid light-weight means and movably mounted around a magnet situated in a lower part of said housing means, coil means associated with said tubular means for producing axial oscillation in said light-weight means in co-action with said magnet responsive to an electrical output of said audio amplifier means such that said rigid light-weight means dynamically communicates with the top of said magnet during operation, the axial oscillations being restricted by said taut screen means, post means attached to said rigid light-weight means external of said housing and screen means, light shade means movably attached to said post means and forming at least a partial enclosure about a light source means.

2. The system of claim 1 in which said housing means is mounted such that said post means depends downwardly from said rigid light-weigh; means, light shade means is movably attached to the 'terminal portion of said post means and protrudes downwardly therefrom.

3. The system of claim 1 in which said light shade means is movably attached to said post means through means for converting the oscillatory motion communicated to said post into rotational motion in said light shade.

4. The system of claim 1 in which said housing means is mounted such that post means extends upwardly from said rigid light-weight means, and said light shade means movably attached to post means protrudes downwardly therefrom.

5. A transducer element comprising: housing means having base and sides terminating so as to provide an open upper end, taut screen means disposed in covering relationship over the open end of said housing means, said housing and screen means forming a container for the assembly hereinafter recited, rigid lightweight means attached to and depending from said taut screen means, tubular means affixed to and protruding downwardly from said rigid light-weight means and movably mounted around a magnet situated in a lower part of said housing means, coil means associated with said tubular means for producing axial oscillation in said light-weight means in co-action with said magnet responsive to a suitable electrical output such that said rigid light-weight means dynamically communicates with the top of said magnet during operation, the axial oscillations being restricted by said taut screen means.

6. The element of claim 5 in which said taut screen means comprises a fine mesh weave of synthetic or natural fibers, or finely drawn metal strands drawn taut over the open end of said housing and secured to the peripheral region thereof.

7. The element of claim 5 in which said rigid lightweight means comprises a plug of rigid plastic foam material.

8. The element of claim 5 in which is provided means to permit the flow of air from the base of said housing means through screen means.

9. The element of claim 5 in which a suitable pad is situated between said rigid light-weight means and said magnet.

10. The element of claim 5 to which is affixed an elongated post external of said housing and screen means.

11. The element of claim in combination with means for holding said taut screen means in firm contact with the human head. 

1. A system for producing a display of colored lights responsive to audio impulses which comprises in combination: audio amplifier means, housing means having a base and sides terminating so as to provide an open upper end, taut screen means disposed in covering relationship over the open end of said housing means, said housing and screen means forming a container for the assembly hereinafter recited, rigid light-weight means attached to and depending from said taut screen means, tubular means affixed to and protruding downwardly from said rigid light-weight means and movably mounted around a magnet situated in a lower part of said housing means, coil means associated with said tubular means for producing axial oscillation in said light-weight means in coaction with said magnet responsive to an electrical output of said audio amplifier means such that said rigid light-weight means dynamically communicates with the top of said magnet during operation, the axial oscillations being restricted by said taut screen means, post means attached to said rigid light-weight means external of said housing and screen means, light shade means movably attached to said post means and forming at least a partial enclosure about a light source means.
 2. The system of claim 1 in which said housing means is mounted such that said post means depends downwardly from said rigid light-weight means, light shade means is movably attached to the terminal portion of said post means and protrudes downwardly therefrom.
 3. The system of claim 1 in which said light shade means is movably attached to said post means through means for converting the oscillatory motion communicated to said post into rotational motion in said light shade.
 4. The system of claim 1 in which said housing means is mounted such that post means extends upwardly from said rigid light-weight means, and said light shade means movably attached to post means protrudes downwardly therefrom.
 5. A transducer element comprising: housing means having base and sides terminating so as to provide an open upper end, taut screen means disposed in covering relationship over the open end of said housing means, said housing and screen means forming a container for the assembly hereinafter recited, rigid light-weight means attached to and depending from said taut screen means, tubular means affixed to and protruding downwardly from said rigid light-weight means and movably mounted around a magnet situated in a lower part of said housing means, coil means associated with said tubular means for producing axial oscillation in said light-weight means in co-action with said magnet responsive to a suitable electrical output such that said rigid light-weight means dynamically communicates with the top of said magnet during operation, the axial oscillations being restricted by said taut screen means.
 6. The element of claim 5 in which said taut screen means comprises a fine mesh weAve of synthetic or natural fibers, or finely drawn metal strands drawn taut over the open end of said housing and secured to the peripheral region thereof.
 7. The element of claim 5 in which said rigid light-weight means comprises a plug of rigid plastic foam material.
 8. The element of claim 5 in which is provided means to permit the flow of air from the base of said housing means through screen means.
 9. The element of claim 5 in which a suitable pad is situated between said rigid light-weight means and said magnet.
 10. The element of claim 5 to which is affixed an elongated post external of said housing and screen means.
 11. The element of claim 5 in combination with means for holding said taut screen means in firm contact with the human head. 